AMERICA/BOLIVIA - As tension rises in the country, the local Catholic Church calls national prayer campaign "For life and reconciliation among Bolivians ”

La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - Tension in Bolivia between government and opposition increases as strikes called in six of the country's nine regions continue. On Monday activists started a hunger strike against the President of Bolivia. Riots have been reported in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, where protesters attacked shop keepers who had opened despite the strike. Today 29 November EU country ambassadors are to meet the president of Bolivia to urge him to respect the law and democratic principles and to express their sadness for 'tragic events' in Sucre, diplomatic sources said.
In the face of this serious situation the Catholic Church in Bolivia is promoting a national prayer campaign "For life and reconciliation among Bolivians” . The Bishops urge all citizens, Catholics and non, to stop for a 'minute of prayer' at midday on Friday 30 November wherever they are and whatever they are doing, to thank God for the gift of life and to ask Him for the gift of reconciliation in Bolivia. At every Mass on Sunday 2 December in parish across the country special prayers will be said for this same intention. Catholics are encouraged to pray for the gift of lasting peace, to pray to be open to the gift of life, to pray for national reconciliation and unity, to pray for the grace to act with responsibility and to dialogue with sincerity. To reach nation-wide participation, the local Church is working to diffuse the news of the initiative. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/11/2007; righe 18, parole 261)